Latest news with #sportsministry
Arab News
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Pakistan won't send hockey teams to India — official sources
KARACHI: Pakistan will not travel to India for upcoming hockey tournaments over 'security' concerns, government sources told AFP on Saturday, potentially jeopardizing their place in next year's World Cup. The nuclear-armed neighbors traded the worst violence in decades during a four-day conflict in May that killed 70 people. Pakistan was due to participate in the Men's Asia Cup for field hockey to be hosted by India in August and September, for which the federation had sought the government's clearance. 'After the recent war the security and safety of our hockey players will be at risk,' said a sports ministry source, who asked not to be identified. Pakistan will also not participate in the Junior World Cup in India in November, the source said. Once a force in international hockey, with three Olympic gold medals and four world titles, Pakistan has slumped to 15th in the rankings. Not featuring in the Asia Cup will likely cost Pakistan a place in next year's senior World Cup to be held in the Netherlands and Belgium. A second government source also confirmed the decision to AFP. Pakistan's foreign office has not responded to AFP's request for comment. India stalled all bilateral sporting ties with Pakistan in the wake of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which it blamed on militants based across the border. Cricket has been the most affected sport, with the two countries only meeting each other in multinational events abroad. India refused to visit Pakistan this year when it hosted the Champions Trophy, forcing the final to be staged on neutral ground in Dubai. In a tit-for-tat move, Pakistan will also not send its women's cricket team to India for the 50-over World Cup later this year and the T20 World Cup in 2026. They agreed instead to play their matches in Sri Lanka. Pakistan's hockey team last toured India for the 2023 Asian Champions Trophy, finishing fifth among six teams.
France 24
12-07-2025
- Politics
- France 24
Pakistan won't send hockey teams to India: govt sources
The nuclear-armed neighbours traded the worst violence in decades during a four-day conflict in May that killed 70 people. Pakistan was due to participate in the Men's Asia Cup for field hockey to be hosted by India in August and September, for which the federation had sought the government's clearance. "After the recent war the security and safety of our hockey players will be at risk," said a sports ministry source, who asked not to be identified. Pakistan will also not participate in the Junior World Cup in India in November, the source said. Once a force in international hockey, with three Olympic gold medals and four world titles, Pakistan has slumped to 15th in the rankings. Not featuring in the Asia Cup will likely cost Pakistan a place in next year's senior World Cup to be held in the Netherlands and Belgium. A second government source also confirmed the decision to AFP. Pakistan's foreign office has not responded to AFP's request for comment. India stalled all bilateral sporting ties with Pakistan in the wake of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which it blamed on militants based across the border. Cricket has been the most affected sport, with the two countries only meeting each other in multinational events abroad. India refused to visit Pakistan this year when it hosted the Champions Trophy, forcing the final to be staged on neutral ground in Dubai. In a tit-for-tat move, Pakistan will also not send its women's cricket team to India for the 50-over World Cup later this year and the T20 World Cup in 2026. They agreed instead to play their matches in Sri Lanka.
Malay Mail
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Malay Mail
Hockey showdown off as Pakistan skips India tournaments, citing safety concerns
KARACHI, July 12 — Pakistan will not travel to India for upcoming hockey tournaments over 'security' concerns, government sources told AFP on Saturday, potentially jeopardising their place in next year's World Cup. The nuclear-armed neighbours traded the worst violence in decades during a four-day conflict in May that killed 70 people. Pakistan was due to participate in the Men's Asia Cup for field hockey to be hosted by India in August and September, for which the federation had sought the government's clearance. 'After the recent war the security and safety of our hockey players will be at risk,' said a sports ministry source, who asked not to be identified. Pakistan will also not participate in the Junior World Cup in India in November, the source said. Once a force in international hockey, with three Olympic gold medals and four world titles, Pakistan has slumped to 15th in the rankings. Not featuring in the Asia Cup will likely cost Pakistan a place in next year's senior World Cup to be held in the Netherlands and Belgium. A second government source also confirmed the decision to AFP. Pakistan's foreign office has not responded to AFP's request for comment. India stalled all bilateral sporting ties with Pakistan in the wake of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which it blamed on militants based across the border. Cricket has been the most affected sport, with the two countries only meeting each other in multinational events abroad. India refused to visit Pakistan this year when it hosted the Champions Trophy, forcing the final to be staged on neutral ground in Dubai. In a tit-for-tat move, Pakistan will also not send its women's cricket team to India for the 50-over World Cup later this year and the T20 World Cup in 2026. They agreed instead to play their matches in Sri Lanka. Pakistan's hockey team last toured India for the 2023 Asian Champions Trophy, finishing fifth amongst six teams. — AFP
Khaleej Times
29-05-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Sri Lanka ex-ministers jailed up to 25 years for corruption
A Sri Lankan court sentenced on Thursday two former ministers from the government of deposed president Gotabaya Rajapaksa to decades in prison in a landmark corruption case. Ex-sports minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and former trade minister Anil Fernando were found guilty by the Colombo High Court of misappropriating 53 million rupees ($177,000) of state funds. The pair were also fined $2,000 for using government money to donate board games -- including 14,000 carrom boards and 11,000 draughts sets -- in an attempt to boost the failed 2015 re-election bid of Gotabaya's elder brother, Mahinda Rajapaksa. Aluthgamage was sentenced to 20 years in jail. Fernando was sentenced to 25 years. Aluthgamage is now the most senior member of a Rajapaksa-led cabinet to be successfully prosecuted for corruption. The cases against both men were initiated six years ago, when the Rajapaksa brothers were out of power, but the case had been making slow headway until a new government took office last year. Aluthgamage also faces a separate investigation into allegations that he authorised in 2022 a payment of $6.09 million to a Chinese supplier for a fertilizer shipment that was never delivered. He caused a stir in 2020 when he accused Sri Lanka's national cricket team of rigging the 2011 World Cup final in favour of India, triggering an investigation that ultimately failed to substantiate his claims. Aluthgamage, who served as sports minister from 2010 to 2015, said in June 2020 that he had "not wanted to disclose" the alleged match-fixing plot at the time. "In 2011, we were supposed to win, but we sold the match. I feel I can talk about it now. I am not implicating players, but certain sections were involved," he said. Sri Lanka lost the final at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium by six wickets. Both Indian and Sri Lankan players have strongly denied any wrongdoing.
Free Malaysia Today
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Fifa lifts Congo Republic's suspension
Fifa had set a number of conditions for lifting the suspension. (AFP pic) ZURICH : Fifa has lifted its suspension on the Republic of Congo's football federation three months after it was imposed over third-party interference in its affairs amid a dispute with the country's sports ministry, the global governing body said yesterday. The long-standing dispute had resulted in the closure of some sports facilities and the Congo federation's headquarters. Days after the suspension was introduced, sports minister Hugues Ngouelondele had said they would get in touch with Fifa to discuss lifting the ban. Fifa, which had set a number of conditions for lifting the suspension including the return of full control of the federation's headquarters to Fecofoot, said the requested conditions had been met. Witness football history in Malaysia as Manchester United take on the Asean All-Stars – it's the clash you can't afford to miss. Book your seat now at before they're gone!
